Moisture dependent physical properties of fennel seeds

Physical properties of fennel seeds were determined at five levels of moisture content. All dimensions of seed increased with increasing moisture content from 7.57 to 52.88% (dry base). At the same moisture range, sphericity, surface area and true density increased from 41.60 to 44.10%, 8.39 to 9.47 mm2, and 818.29 to 894.63 kg m-3, respectively. In this moisture range, bulk density decreased from 376.27 to 314.667 kg m-3 whereas the angle of repose and porosity increased from 36.33 to 48.66 and 54 to 64.8%, respectively. The static coefficient of friction of seeds increased linearly against surfaces of three structural materials, namely, glass, plywood, and galvanized iron.